Failure of Simple Parts

[wordwise1]

What are BMW design engineers thinking of when they make it so hard to replace or repair parts that are bound to fail because they are so flimsy and prone to breakage?

Examples on my E39 (528ia, 1997, 74,184 miles):

1). Moonroof won't close because plastic clip on lifting mechanism broke. Dealer insists only way to fix is new cassette and motor and Hardware ($US 795.00 plus US$497.50 labor). Plastic clip same as on kids safety belt in shooping cart...must cost at least twenty-five cents!!!

2). No lights in instrument cluster (tach, speedo, gas, temp gauges)...all LED pixels light & can be dimmed...Dealer insists only fix is to replace the entire instrument cluster (US$495.00 plus labor (US$95). Bulbs cannot be replaced, says dealer.

3. Passenger seat plastic housing around lift/back/forth mechanism has a tiny piece of plastic that broke off inside, making it impossible to screw frame to seat. Cost to replace/fix seat switch cover (US $99.00)

Has there been a class action suit against BMW to address these design flaws?

[Terry Kennedy]

What are BMW design engineers thinking of when they make it so hard to replace or repair parts that are bound to fail because they are so flimsy and prone to breakage?

Examples on my E39 (528ia, 1997, 74,184 miles):

1). Moonroof won't close because plastic clip on lifting mechanism broke. Dealer insists only way to fix is new cassette and motor and Hardware ($US 795.00 plus US$497.50 labor). Plastic clip same as on kids safety belt in shooping cart...must cost at least twenty-five cents!!!Not to apologize for BMW quality issues (I've ranted about this myself, you know :D) but...

I suspect that these assemblies are things that BMW purchases complete from their vendors, and if a part isn't considered a common wear item (like a spring) at the time of design, BMW probably doesn't have a part number for the component and can't get it from the vendor. In cases where something was later discovered to be a common problem, BMW has often created a repair/retrofit kit to make that part and repair instructions available. When you or I have a problem with a part that isn't a common wear item, we get stuck with the full price of the whole assembly.

Similarly, there isn't any reason BMW has to replace the whole NAV computer if the drive has gone bad - they could have part numbers for the CD/DVD drives and swap them. But that means more parts for the dealers to carry (or order from BMWNA and BMW AG), probably more labor, and certainly more training. At least the replacement costs of the NAV computers are lower because BMW can (and does) send them back to the original vendor to be rebuilt.

You probably have two options for a lower repair price on things like this:

1) See if BMWNA will cover some/all of the costs as goodwill. If you have owned multiple BMW vehicles and/or are the original owner of this E39, that might help as well).

2) Have the work performed at an independent garage. They'll get the trade discount at the BMW dealership's parts counter and may charge you a lower labor rate than the BMW dealership.

[drmwvr]

Has there been a class action suit against BMW to address these design flaws?

:tsk:

[dtkw]

My 97 740iL has never been right since the Indy dealer first touched it. The duel air climate control is not working right and they have not be able to correct it. Now, even in winter, the passenger side is always getting cold air. The phone never worked and we ended up using another cell phone instead. They replaced the cradle and phone and still no good. The cupholders are a joke, I can't remember how many times they broke. And it is at the worst location because it is located in front of the switch gear. My wife spilled something on it and now, the auto and manual mode switch is broken and needed to be replaced. The rear cupholder is useless. Over all, the only part is still good is the driving part. Oh wait, the driver seat control is broken so the seat is stuck for now. :rolleyes: